Monday, August 13, 2012

Class Syllabus

Here's just about everything you need to know about math class this year. This is the same information that was given to you on the first day of class (that sheet you need to get signed and bring back!)


Supplies: Students will need these supplies no later than August 22, 2012.
1.       3 ring binder
2.       Loose-leaf paper
3.       Pencils (points will be deducted for homework completed in pen)

Students will be:
In class on time
A positive team player
Willing to try new things
Respectful of others and their property
Encouraging with their words

Grades: Grades are assessed as follows:
A     >90%
B      80-89%
C      70-79%
D     60-69%
F      <60 o:p="o:p">

Grades are comprised of:
        Exams and Quizzes: Students may choose to retake ONE test per quarter to try for a higher score.  Before a student may retake a test, he or she must study with me after school until a minimum of one hour of tutoring has been completed. 
        Homework: Each assignment is worth one point per question; all work must be shown in pencil on every assignment for students to receive credit.  Students will have the opportunity to correct any missed questions on homework assignments. Corrections are done on a separate sheet with all work shown and attached to the original assignment; students will earn full credit for all corrected questions.  Corrections and late work will be due do by the day of the chapter exam. 
        Class Activities and Projects: Throughout the year, there will be activities and projects to be completed by students individually and as a cooperative group.  Students will know exact expectations and have plenty of time to complete activities and projects on time.
Extra Credit: Each week there will be a challenge problem displayed (and posted on the blog) for each student to solve if wanted.  The problems will be worth extra credit; points will vary based on the problem.  Answers must be turned in by the end of the school day each Friday. 
        There will also be a few enrichment worksheets throughout each chapter for students to complete if they wish.  These will be available to students to pick up and complete by the assigned day.  Students may earn extra credit only if all assignments are turned in.
Tutoring: I offer tutoring most nights of the week.  I ask that students let me know when they plan to stay so I can plan to be there.  Tutoring can help struggling students or students wanting to adequately prepare themselves for an upcoming exam.
Detention: Students are expected to complete and turn in their assignments on time.  When a student does not have an assignment to turn in they will be assigned a detention for the next school day after school until 4:00. If an assignment is not completed and turned in by the end of the detention, the student will stay the next day until the assignment is complete. Students will be responsible for remembering their detentions.  Students have the opportunity to turn in their assignment before the detention; when an assignment is turned in, the student does not have to stay for the detention.
SAFE: When a student has a failing grade in math class they will be assigned SAFE. This is an after school program on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 5pm.  While at SAFE, students will work on missing assignments.  Students are in SAFE until their grade is satisfactory.  Parents will be notified when students are required to stay.  If the student is absent or fails to attend SAFE, they will have additional days required after school.
Classroom Supply Donations: If you have any extra packages of notebook paper or packages of pencils these would be greatly appreciated by the class throughout the year.
Weekly Email Updates: An email will be sent every Friday with an update on classroom activities; these will include a short summary of the week as well as a calendar of activities for the upcoming week.  There will also be emails sent before tests as a reminder to study.
I look forward to a wonderful year.  Feel free to contact me any time with questions or concerns.

Back to School!

Welcome to 7th grade math! I am very excited for our upcoming year!


I  graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Middle Level Mathematics in May 2009 and a Master's in Educational Technology and Library Media in December 2011. I began teaching in 2009 in the School District of Joplin, Missouri. I taught 7th and 8th grade math at South Middle School. This will be my third year at PCMS! 

I grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. My family currently lives there. I have one younger sister, Ali, who is a sophomore at PSU.  My extended family is rather large. I have over 20 cousins and second cousins; the number just keeps growing. I live in town with my white Jack Russel terriers named Olive and Jack. They both keep me very busy when I'm not grading papers! They love going on walks around town! 
Other things I enjoy doing in my free time are bowling, watching Pitt State football, and sewing.  I enjoy watching all sports in person and on TV, my favorite teams to watch are the KC Royals, KU Basketball, and the KC Chiefs. A fun fact about me is that I absolutely love black and white spotted cows; I even have a few in my classroom!

Here are a few pictures I have to share!



My sister, Ali, and I on the Plaza in KC last winter.


Growing up in KC, I learned to love this skyline!

This is my Olive, I know you'll get to hear many stories about her!


Here's Jack, my other dog.

This is my favorite cow. Can you guess why? It has math AND it's  cow!  I even have a smaller version of this cow (see if you can find it in my classroom!). To see more awesome cows visit: www.cowparade.com

I can't wait to learn more about you as the  year goes on!
Miss Dees

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Monday, July 2, 2012

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Reading Basketball Games - Summer School

We've finished reading The Million Dollar Shot, take this test: Book Quiz


Now test yourself with these games!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Fraction Games - Summer School

Test your fraction knowledge with these games. Be sure to play at least one game from each category. Enjoy!



Compare Fractions

Balloon Pop - Try Level 3
Fraction Monkeys - Game gets harder as you play.
Melvin's Make-a-Match
Factors Millionaire

Equivalent Fractions

Tony's Pizza Shop
Reduce Fractions Shoot - Try Level 3
Equivalent Fraction Shoot - Try Level 3
Fruit Shoot - Least Common Denominator- Try Level 3
Baseball Math

Adding Fractions

Fruit Shoot Fraction Addition - Try Level 3
Clara's Ice Cream Shop
Action Fraction Racing - Common Denominators
Football Catch

Subtracting Fractions

Fruit Shoot Fraction Subtraction - Try Level 3
Board Game - Adding and Subtracting

Multiplying Fractions

Soccer Math
Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
 

Dividing Fractions

Math Basketball
Soccer Math

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Math Facts Games - Summer School

Here are some games to help us practice our multiplication math facts.


Use this one first: Choose a skill level of up to 10. Choose operation of multiplication. Choose 2 minutes.  Practice your facts for 2 minutes, when you're finished a score will show, have Miss Dees look at.



Here are some other sites with games you can play to practice.





Math Playground - Missing Factors


Think you know your facts?! Try this basketball game, it challenges you with multiplication and division! The scratch paper feature is very nice!! Good Luck, I hope your team wins!

Fun Brain - Math Basketball